Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the age at which minors can independently consent to outpatient mental health treatment from 16 to 14 years old. It directly affects minors aged 14 and older seeking temporary outpatient care for mental illness or emotional disorders, excluding medication. The law allows these minors to consent to treatment under licensed professionals (like psychologists or counselors) without parental permission, with confidentiality protections preventing disclosure of treatment without consent. This change applies only to outpatient services, not inpatient care or medication administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a standardized checklist for school districts to help students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) plan their transition from high school to post-secondary life. The checklist covers key areas like college, jobs, healthcare, legal independence, and community resources, and must be reviewed with students (starting at age 16) and parents twice yearly by IEP teams. Additionally, the Department must maintain up-to-date transition resource information on its website for students, families, and schools to access easily.

Maddy summaryS 2264 establishes the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund" within the state Treasury. Taxpayers can voluntarily add a contribution to their New Jersey gross income tax return to support this fund, with net contributions (after administrative costs) deposited into it. The Legislature would annually allocate all funds in the account equally to the three largest Medicaid reproductive health care providers in the state, requiring them to use the money to provide services (including pregnancy-related care and pregnancy termination) to low-income individuals who cannot afford them. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" broadly to cover medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to the human reproductive system. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Health Committee.

Maddy summaryS 2599 requires companies, research facilities, and institutions using cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing, research, or educational purposes in New Jersey to assess each animal for adoption suitability after testing ends and offer it to rescue organizations or private individuals if suitable. These entities must register with the state health department, report animal details (like type, number, and adoption status), and document efforts to place animals for adoption. Noncompliance results in civil penalties of up to $50,000 for repeated violations, with a third offense potentially leading to a court-ordered ban on animal testing. The bill establishes clear reporting procedures and enforcement mechanisms to ensure animals used in testing have adoption opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2887) expands eligibility for New Jersey inmates to participate in residential community release programs (RCRPs). It allows inmates scheduled for release in less than 30 months (previously 18-24 months) to join RCRPs if the Department of Corrections (DOC) deems it appropriate, or inmates with 12-30 months remaining who need substance use disorder treatment. The bill also requires the DOC to report monthly to the Legislature (not just the budget office) on RCRP bed capacity for inmates 30-36 months from release. Additionally, it prohibits returning inmates to correctional facilities solely for medical conditions or pregnancy, and bans punitive measures for medical needs during RCRP participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault statute to upgrade simple assault against crossing guards or parking enforcement officers to aggravated assault when the offense occurs during their official duties. It specifically adds these workers to the list of protected individuals under the aggravated assault definition (N.J.S.2C:12-1(5)(l)), meaning assaults against them will now be treated as more serious crimes. The change applies only when the officer is in uniform or clearly identifiable as performing their duties. This policy shift increases penalties for harming these public safety workers without altering other aspects of the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows permanent New Jersey law enforcement officers with active police training certifications to receive a temporary 120-day appointment as State or county investigators. During this period, they may perform full investigator duties while being trained and certified as basic investigators. The temporary role remains active until the officer applies for and receives permanent investigator licensure through the Police Training Commission. This creates a formal pathway for officers to transition into investigator roles without requiring immediate permanent licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in New Jersey's Office of Administrative Law to enroll in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), removing them from an existing exclusion. Currently, ALJs are excluded from this retirement system under state law, but the bill amends Section 2(a)(2) of P.L. 2007, c.92 to include them. The change directly affects ALJs who serve in the Office of Administrative Law within the Department of State. It does not alter retirement benefits or create new provisions - only updates their mandatory enrollment status in the existing PERS framework.

Maddy summaryS 2891 prohibits drug manufacturers, pharmacies, wholesalers, and healthcare providers from using devices, kiosks, or systems to steer patients to specific pharmacies or restrict their pharmacy choice when dispensing prescription drugs or samples. It requires explicit patient consent before transmitting personal health information to a particular pharmacy, with full disclosure of the patient’s right to choose their pharmacy or decline sharing information. Violations carry significant penalties: $100,000+ for companies per violation and $250+ for healthcare providers. The bill directly affects patients (by protecting their pharmacy choice), healthcare practitioners, and pharmaceutical entities. It aims to prevent restrictive marketing practices without altering existing authority for prescribing drugs.

Maddy summaryS 1982, the "Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine in health and physical education curricula for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates teaching about prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health standards, and the state education department must post related materials online for staff, students, and parents. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.278, and is no longer active.